Throttle mechanism



F. HENKE THROTTLE MECHANISM Filed July 19, 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 mm mwz7% m ii FM,

July 27 1926 K 1,594,331

HENKE THROTTLE MECHANISM Fm K July 27, 1926. 1,594,331

I I F. HENKE 1 THROTTLE MECHANISM Filed July 19, 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet 55505mm HEN/r5,

Patented July 27, I925.

stares rarsu'r FREDERICK I'IENKE, OF lI-IILADELPIIIA, PENNSYLVANIA,ASSIGNQR TO FOX AUTO- MATIC PRODUCT$ COR-E'ORATIQN, OF PHILADELP -I-IIA,PENNSYLVANIA, A COR- PORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

THROTTLE MECHANISM.

Application filed July 19, 1924:. Serial No. 727,038.

My invention is particularly applicable to carburetor thretle mechanismwhereby acceleration of an automobile motor is effected and the formthereof hereinafter described is especially designed as an accessory forFord automobiles. Ordinarily, such automobiles are provided only withmeans for controlling the carburetor throttle lever by manipulation of ahand lever extending immediately below the steering wheel. Ihe objectand effect of the form of my invention hereinafter described is toprovide an accessory device which enables the operator to acceleratesaid motor by foot pressure, without disturbing the hand lever aforesaidfrom the position to which it has been set; such form of my inventionincluding aspring which restores the foot accelerator to its normal idleposition when released. Of course, the effect of such construction andarrangement is that while the operator is enabled to adjust said handlever, as heretofore, to determine a normal rate of traverse of the car,he is also enabled to temporarily increase such rate by the oper.- ationof my accessory device, without disturbing that adjustment.

As hereinafter described, my invention includes an accessory adapterplate, preferably formed of pressed sheet metal, having spaced flangesand screw clamping means coordinately adapted for rigidly connectingsaid plate with an ordinary carburetor valve lever. Said adapter plateis pivotally connect-cd with a. foot accelerator rod having a pedalextending above the floor of the automobile, with said rod mounted toslide in a foot rest attached to said floor. In the preferred form of myinvention hereinafter described, the ordinary hand connecting elementhas a crank at the end intended for pivotal connection with an eye atthe end of said valve lever, but, instead of being thus connected, saidcrank is fitted to traverse a slot in said adapter plate with said slotextending in concentric relation with the fulcrum of said lever. Suchconstruction and arrangement permit operation of said valve said adapterplate to normal idle position, presents the end of said arcuate slotagainst said crank, so that said plate and the valve lever connectedtherewith may be directly actuated by movement of said hand accelcraterdevice.

My invention includes the various novel features of construction andarrangement hereinafter more definitely specified.

In said drawings; Fig. I is a diagram including sectional views showinga preferred embodiment of my invention in connection with parts of aFord automobile, some of which are shown in fragmentary section; thehand accelerator connector extending to the carburetor lever being ofthe rigid type ordinarily furnished with Ford cars.

Fig. II is a rear elevation of the foot rest shown in section in Fig. Iattached to the automobile foot board.

Fig. III is a plan view of the spring bracket shown in Fig. I attachedto the angle bar dash support of the automobile.

Fig. IV is a diagrammatic view similar to Fig". I, but showing amodified form of my invention, wherein the hand connector for thecarburetor lever is flexible. This form of my invention is especiallydesigned for use in connection with a Stromberg carburetor.

Fig. V is a rear elevation of the foot rest shown in section in Fig. IVattached to the automobile foot board.

Fig. VI is a plan view of the spring.

bracket shown in Fig. IV attached to the angle bar dash support of theautomobile.

Fig. VII is an elevation of the form of my accessory sectoral adapterplate shown in Fig. I, but on a larger scale.

Fig. VIII is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line VIII, VIIIin Fig VII, showing the flanges on said plate whicl'rrig idly engage thecarburetor lever between them.

Fig. IX is an elevation of the lower edge of the parts shown in Fig.VII.

Fig. X in an elevation of the form of my accessory adapter plate shownin Fig. IV, but on a larger scale. 7

Fig. XI is an elevation of the lower edge cf the parts shown in However,the specific iorm of my invention shown in Figs. IV, X, and XI isclaimed in my copending application Serial No. 758,474, which is adivision of this application.

Referring to the form of my invention shown in Figs. I to III inclusive;1 is an automobile carburetor of the configuration ordinarily furnishedwith a Ford car and inclosing a throttle valve 2 which may be oscillatedby means of its trunnion 3 which is rigidly connected with the valvelever 4. Said lever 4 has the arm 5 provided with the adjustable setscrew 6 which encounters the stationary stop 7 which projects from saidiarburetor l and thus "limits the move ment of said lever 4 in onedirection and determines the normal position of said valve 2, which isthe closed position indicated in Fig. I. Said lever 4 has the end eye 9which is normally adapted for connection with the right angular bentrank end '10 of the hand accelerator connector rod 11. Said rod 11extends through openings 12 in the webs 13 connecting the cylinders 1%and 15 of the automobile motor, and is pivotally connected at its upperend with the hand operative accelerator arm 17. Said arm is part of thehand lever which includes the fulcrum shaft 18 which extends in theautomobile steering column and has the handle arm 19 at its upper endarranged to adjustably set it in different positions or" rotation withrespect to its bearings 20 and 21.

However, as shown in Figs. I, VII and IX, said crank end 10 of the handaccelerator connector rod 11 is removed from said lever eye 9 and fittedto slide in the arcuate slot 2% in the sectoral accessory adapter platein which said crank is retained by the cotter pin 23, with the washers26 and 27 upon respectively opposite sides of said plate. As indicatedby the dotted lines in ig. IX; said washer 26 extends through said saidplate 25 in connection with said washer 27; so that they form, ineffect, a roller extending through said slot 24 with circumferentialretaining flanges upon opposite sides of said plate 25. Said adapterplate 25 has the bolt hole 29 adapted to register with said lever eye 9,and a pair of lugs 30, best shown in F ig. VIII, spaced to lit andrigidly hold said lever 4 between them with said plate 25 rigidlyconnected with said lever by the bolt 81 extending through said plate 25and eye 9 and provided with the nut 32 exterior to the latter, as bestshown in Fig. IX.

Tihen said plate 25 is thus rigidly connected with said carburetorthrottle lever 24; said arc te slot 2% is preferably in concentric re nwith the fulcrum of said lever which is the axis of said valve trunnion8. Said adapter plate 25 has the eccentric hole 34 for the right angularbent end 35 of. the foot accelerator rod 36; which rod end 35 isjournaled in the bushing 37 which extends in said plate hole andprojects from one side of said plate a cylindrical bearing sleeve 88 inrigid relation with said plate 25, as best shown in Fig. IX. The cotterpin lO, shown in Fig. IX, normally retains said foot accelerator rod endin such pivotal connection with 'd plate 25. As shown in, Fig. I; saidfoot rod 36 has the pedal ll rigidly mounted upon one end thereof andextends through the bearing hole 42 in the foot rest 43 which comprisesa metal strip having screw holes 45 at opposi ends thereof for thescrews which ri 'idiy connect said foot re.

t beard H or the automob lest -13 has the heel flange l8 1 opposite tosaid bearing hole and is ad pted to support the toot ot the operator 0celerator device above described. Said foot 18 thus supports, and limitsthe move ment of, said foot rod 36, and facilitates the operation oisaid foot accelerator device shown in Fig. I.

A. shown in Figs. I, VII and IX; said accessory adapter plate 25 isprovided with thcspring holderstud 5O projecting from the side thereofopposite to said. sleeve 37 and connected with one end of thcspringwhich has its opposite end engaged in the spring hole 52 in the springbracket 53 which has its opposite ends bent in right angular relationwith each 0th r, to fit the angle bar dash support 54; ot' theautomobile; said spring bracket having the bolt hole at its opposite endfor the bolt 56 whl :h extends through said bracket and c bar and isprovided with the nu, rign y securing said bracket to said it; It may beobserved that the arrangement above described is such that in the posishown in Fig. I, wherein the throttle valve 2 is closed; said lever imay be turned to open said valve more or less by the ment or" saidadapter plate either by the hand connector 11 or the foot connector 35;but that it the hand accelerator lever if) he set to open said valve 2to a certain extent; by means of said hand connector I]. with its;roller 22 engaging the end of the slot in said adapter plate which wouldmove said valve lever 4 in the direction of th arrow marked thereon in FI: said lever may be moved to a greater extent, in the same direction,to accelerate the operation of the motor. by pressure upon said pedal lland foot rod 36, against the tension of said spring 51; such movement ofthe foot accelerator being effected without novement of the handconnector 11; the roller 22 of the latter idly traversing said slot 2%in said adapter plate 25. However, when said foot accelerator isreleased by the operator;

the tension of said spring 51 restores said plate 25 and the lever 41connected therewith to the original position by presenting the end ofsaid slot 27%. against said roller 22. It is to be particularly notedthat the hand accelerator lever, including the arm 17, shaft 18 and arm19, is normally held in any desired position of rotary adjustment, bymeans of the compression spring 59 which is confined between said38:11'111 g 21 and the collar 60 on said fulcrum shaft 18, and that thetension ot said spring 51 is merely sullic-ient to restore said sectoraladapter plate 25 to cooperative relation with said. hand connector 11when pressure is removed from the loot accelerator pedal 41.

Referring to the form ot my invention shown in liigs. IV to VIinclusive; (51 is an automobile carburetor ot the Stromberg type andinclosing a throttle valve 62 which may be oscillated by means oil. itstrunnion 03 which is rigidly connected with th valve lover 6 1. Saidlever 6-1- has the arm 65 arranged to encounter the stationary stop 67which projects from said carburetor (51 and thus limits the movement ofsaid lever 64 in one direction and determines the normal position ofsaid valve 62, which is the closed position indicated in Fig. IV. Saidlever 6 has the end eye 69 which is pivotally con nected with the loopend 70 of the flexible hand accelerator connector 71, which isconveniently formed of a piece of steel cable. Said connector 71 extendsthrough openings 72 in the webs 73 connecting the cylinders 7st and 75ot the automobile motor, and is pivotally connected at its upper endwith the arm 77 ot the hand lever which includes the fulcrum shaft 78which extends in the automobile steering column and has the handle arm79 at its upper end arranged to adj usi'aably set it in differentpositions 01 ro tation with respect to its bearings 80 and 81.

The hand accelerator device last above described is, of course, capableof shifting said throttle valve lever 64- only in the direction of thearrow marked thereon in Fig. IV, as movement of the hand lever arm 77 inthe opposite direction merely serves to release the tension on saidconnector 71 but thus permits said lever 64 to be restored to its normalporition by other means. In this form of my invention, I provide saidlever 64 with the accessory adapter plate 83 which has the opening 84registering with said valve pintle 63, and has a pair of lugs 85,indicated in F IV, and shown in detail in Figs. X and XI, which lugs arespaced to fit and rigidly hold said lever 6 1 between them in theposition shown in said Figs. IV, X and XI; in which position said plate83 is clamped upon said lever 6 1 by the plate tongue 87 which is formedof the same piece or" metal as said plate 83 but bent parallel therewithso as to extend beneath said lever 641,

shown in Figs. X and XI. Said tongue has a screw threaded hole forengagement with the screw threaded end 89 of the screw stud 90 which isprimarily cylindrical but has its opposite sides 91 flattened, as bestshown in. Fig. X, to be engaged by a wrench, and also has the screwdriver slot 92 in its head 98; whereby said stud ma 1 be set in theposition shown in rigid relation with said plate 83 and lever 64!: ormay be detached for repairs. Said screw stud 90 has the neck 94adjoining its head 93 for engagement with one end of the spring 96 shownin Fig. IV, which has its opposite end engaged in the spring hole 9? inthe spring bracket 98 which has its opposite ends bent in right angularrelation with each other to lit the angle bar dash support 99 ot theautomobile; said spring bracket having a bolt hole 100 at its oppositeend for the bolt 101 which extends through said bracket and angle barand is gn'ovided with the nut 10.2 rigidly securing said bracket to saidbar.

As shown in Figs. IV, X and XI; said accessory adapter plate 83 has theeccentric hole 101 for the right angle bent end 105 of thefootaccelerator rod 106; which rod end 105 is journaled in. the bushing107 which extends in said plate hole and projects from one side of saidplate as av cylindrical bearing sleeve 108, in rigid relation with saidplate 83, as best shown in Fig. XI. The cotter pin 110, shown in Fig.XI, normally retains said foot accelerator rod end 105 in such pivotalconnection with said plate 83. As shown in Fig. IV; said foot rod 106has the pedal 111 rigidly mounted upon one end thereof and extendsthrough the bearing hole 112 in the foot rest 113 which comprises ametal strip having screw holes 115 atopposite ends thereof for thescrews 116 which rigidly connect said foot; rest 118 with the foot board117 of the automobile. Said foot rest 113 has the heel flange 118 nearits end opposite to said bearing hole 112, and is adapted to support thefoot of the operator in convenient position to operate the footaccelerator device above described with reference to Fig. IV. Said footrest 113 thus supports, and limits the movement of, said footrod 106,and facilitates the operation of said foot accelerator device shown inFig. IV. The arrangement of that device is such that in the positionshown in Fig. IV, wherein the throttle valve 62 is closed; said lever 64may be turned to open said valve more or less either by the movement ofsaid hand connector 71 or foot connector 10 1. However, it the handaccelerator lever 79 be set to open said valve 62 to a certain extent;the operation of my accessory throttle mechanism shown in Fig. IV doesnot disturb said hand lever 79 from .its set position; the move ment ofsaid valve lever 64: by the foot aecelerator merely serving to slackenand flex the hand connector 71 until said spring 96 restores the partsto the normal position shown in Fig. IV.

It may be observed that in each of the forms of my invention abovedescribed, the adapter which renders the foot accelerating devicecooperative with the hand accelerating device is a single piece of metalhaving coordinator flanges and screw clamping means for rigidlyconnecting it with the lover of the throttle valve to be controlled and,incidentally, such adapter element is the medium through which springpressure applied to said lever to restore it to normal position whenreleased. Of course, such adapter elements may be made of differentforms and specific construction in accordance with the diiii'erent conruction and arrangement of the automobile structures to which they areaccessory.

Therefore, I do not desire to limit myself to the precise details ofconstruction and arrangement herein set forth, as it is obvious thatvarious modifications may be made therein without departing from theessential features of my invention, as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An accessory foot accelerator, for an automobile carburetor valvehaving an operating lever; including a sectoral accessory adapter plate,having a bolt hole adapted to register with a hole in said lever, a pairof lugs s need to fit said lever between them, an arcuate slot, inconcentric relation with the fulcrum of said lever, a hole eccentric tosaid fulcrum, a bushing extending in the latter hole and projecting fromone side of said plate, forming a cylindrical tubular bearing sleeve inrigid relation with said plate and adapted to receive a connector rod,and a stud projectin from the opposite side of said plate, in eccentricrigid relation therewith and having means to engage a spring; a rollerfitted to traverse said slot and having means retaining it in said slot,

including circumferential retaining flanges upon opposite sides of saidplate; said roller having an axial opening therethrou 'h adapted toreceive a second connector rod 2. An accessory foot accelerator, for anautomobile carburetor valve having an operating lever; including asectoral accessory adapter plate, having adjustable means arranged torigidly connect it with said lever, and having an arcuate slot, inconcentric relation with the fulcrum of said lever, a tubular bearingsleeve rigidly projecting from one side of said plate, and adapted toreceive a connector rod, and a stud projectfrom the opposite side ofsaid plate, in ectentric rigid relation therewith and havmeans to engagea spring; and a roller ed to traverse said slot and having means iiningit in said slot, including retainflanges upon opposite sides of saidplate; s l roller having an axial opening theretln'ough adapted toreceive a second connector rod.

An accessory foot accelerator, for an automobile carburetor valve havingan operating lever; including a sectoral accessory adapter plate, havinga bolt hole adapted to 1,1 with a hole in said lever; a pair of logsspaced to fit said lever between them, arcuate slot, in concentricrelation with c fulcrum of said lever, a hole eccentric to i ulcrum, abushing extending in the later hole and projecting from one side of saidplate, forming a cylindrical tubular bearing sleeve in rigid relationwith said plate and .dapted to receive a connector rod, and a studprojecting from the opposite side of said plate, in eccentric rigidrelation therewith and having means to engage a spring; and n'ieansarranged to engage a connector rod in said slot.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name at Philadelphia,Pennsylvania, this 16th day of July, 1924.

FREDERICK HEN K16.

Certificate of Correction.

It is hereby certified that the assignee in Letters Patent No.1,594,331, granted July 27, 1926, upon the application of FrederickHenke, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for an improvement in ThrottleMechanism, was erroneously described and specified as Fox AutomaticProducts Corporation, Whereas said assignee should have been describedand specified as Foo: Automotz'oo Products Corporation, as shown by therecords of assignments in this oflice; page 8, line 52, for themisspelled Word porition read position and that the said Letters Patentshould be read with these corrections therein that the same may conformto the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 24th day of August, A. D. 1926.

[SEAL] M. J. MOORE,

. Acting Commissioner of Patents.

